A FLORIST from Tavistock has been successful in gaining a highly prestigious place at the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year competition. RHS is presenting the competition, in association with the British Florist Association, at the world's most famous flower show in Chelsea, London, and showcases, in the floristry section, the best in professional retail floristry. Amanda Randell MDPF, a freelance florist from Randell Cox Foral Design, took part in the nationwide hunt for Britain's best florist back in January. Amanda received notification of the design brief she is to create for the show — a fantasy floral dress to be worn at a crystal-themed ball. Amanda has been a florist for 15 years, firstly with her shop Randell Cox Floral Design in Tavistock and for the last five years as a freelancer based at Hotel Endsleigh. 'I am thrilled at getting this far, and gaining this kind of recognition is simply amazing and I can't wait to put all my efforts into RHS Chelsea,' said Amanda. 'I am enormously grateful that I can indeed take part, thanks to the generosity of my sponsor Continental Underfloor.' To find out more about the competition visit http://www.bfaflorist.org">www.bfaflorist.org